"We want to make Iowa the most connected state in the Midwest," said Branstad at a news conference on Tuesday morning.

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The effort is designed to increase Internet broadband access, adoption and use in Iowa.

"This is electricity of the future. This is going to be critically important to economic progress and we want to make sure that we don't have people left out," said Branstad.

An advisory committee will develop recommendations for Iowa lawmakers about how to expand broadband in the state. Their report is expected to be completed by Dec. 1.

Officials said Iowa currently ranks 11th out of 12 Midwestern states on the TechNet State Broadband Index, which measures household adoption rate of broadband, network speeds as well as other technology factors.

Officials said the use of faster broadband speeds means more jobs.

"We need to make sure rural Iowa has the tools to stay connected, because connectivity is the great equalizer," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds in a new release issued Tuesday. "Connectivity will allow us to preserve rural Iowa, while keeping us competitive with other states for economic development projects. We believe every Iowan – from students, to small business owners, to rural health care providers, to public safety officers – can benefit from this initiative to increase the access, adoption, and use of broadband technology."